Third Culture Kids Resources

There are still many adults out there who don’t know that they have matured with the particularities of a TCK and that these have shaped their personality. There are parents who have traveled often but don’t know that the life of a traveler has transformed their children into TCKs.

Tckworld.com is one of the many websites that address the reality of third culture kids. According to the writers of this website “a TCK is an individual who, having spent a significant part of the developmental years in a culture other than that of their parents, develops a sense of relationship to both. These children of business executives, soldiers and sailors, diplomats, and missionaries who live abroad, become "culture-blended" persons who often contribute in unique and creative ways to society as a whole.

Because of frequent changes in geographic locations, a TCK tends to be a very independent person, often a loner. That self-reliance can be turned into an asset as the young person matures, contributing to the TCK's ability to make decisions and to exercise leadership. However, self-reliance is but one step away from isolation.”

We believe that, as an educational institution, it is important for us to acknowledge the particular traits of third culture kids, embrace them. In turn we need to help them understand these traits and accept that they don’t make them weird, just different, and that, in the long run, they can work to their advantage. BCA teachers and educators, purposely help their students understand their behavioral particularities and manage them to their benefit.

For example, we know that relationships is one of the most difficult aspects in a TCK’s life. That is why, upon the departure of a family, we try to encourage students to see saying goodbye as building a RAFT. Students are helped through the process of

Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewells, and Think Destination.

Below, you fill find more resources that you can consult to better understand what third culture kids are and what it is that you can do to help your children cope with this situation.

thelinkbetween.wordpress.com - This site was launched to provide information for the conference but now incorporates contributed articles, back copies of the Educare e-magazine and information about the EIMESC (European Inter-mission Education Standing Council) that was formed as a result of Eurotck 2007.

www.tcklife.com – Resources related to TCK life. The site has 3 overall areas: TCKs, families, and flow of care.

TCKs—those who are growing up today and Adult TCKs of all generations!/li>

Internationally mobile families from the missions, military, business and diplomatic communities.

All those who impact the lives of TCKs (i.e. parents, educators, counselors, caregivers, etc.)

www.crossculturalkid.org – Website of Ruth E. Van Reken, a second generation adult TCK and mother of 3ATCKs. She speaks nationally and internationally on issues related to global family living. She is co-founder of Families in Global Transition.

www.mukappa.org - "Mu Kappa ... is like a family away from home ... provides the support and assistance I need ... is a way to meet people who are from a similar background ... gives me a circle of friends with whom I can have good talks ... is people who understand & care, especially when I'm homesick ... provides an environment which encourages spiritual growth.” [Comments from MKs in the founding Mu Kappa Chapter]

www.internationalfamilytransitions.com - International Family Transitions (IFT) is a comprehensive service that specializes in helping TCKs successfully manage their transition to college / university whether they are returning to their home country or going on to another host country. IFT also provides resources to those who support TCKs and other international students on the receiving end.

http://www.youthtransitionnetwork.org/ - helps parents and churches address the loss of youth by conducting research, executing training, providing resources, and helping connect high school seniors to ministries before they leave home